Whitecaps Head To South Florida

April 14, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Fresh off a winning start to the 2010 season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1W-0L-0D) travel to South Florida to take on Miami FC (0W-0L-1D) in Saturday's USSF D-2 Pro League encounter.

Ahead of their trip to the southeastern United States, Teitur Thordarson's side will be full of confidence after defeating NSC Minnesota Stars 2-0 in last Sunday's season opener at Swangard Stadium. Second-half goals from Luca Bellisomo and Marlon James gave the Whitecaps their first three points in the newly formed league. They now prepare to face a fellow NASL Conference rival in Victor Pastora's Blues, with Miami FC starting their league campaign last Saturday night with a 1-1 home draw versus Rochester Rhinos.

Saturday's match between the Whitecaps and Miami FC from Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch this weekend's contest live via online streaming at whitecapsfc.com/live.

WHITECAPS

Though they had four months of extensive off-season training, last Sunday's match proved a challenge for Thordarson's side, with the Icelandic coach needing to get his side re-focused on the task at hand during the halftime break. What resulted was a dominating second-half display, as the 'Caps fitness and energy wore down a Minnesota side that had only been together for four weeks.

With three more league matches to play before focus turns to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the Whitecaps head to Miami with two new signings. French centre back Mouloud Akloul is sure to be in consideration for his club debut on Saturday after signing with the Blue and White last week. The 27-year-old will be available, should he receive his international clearance before the weekend. Thordarson's attacking options have also been boosted by the addition of Vancouver native Marcus Haber, who returned home last week on a two-month loan deal from English Football League Championship side West Bromwich Albion. Last season, the 21-year-old played a key role in leading the 'Caps to the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) Championship Series, with Haber winning the 2009 USL-1 Rookie of the Year award.

The Whitecaps also have two former Miami FC players in their squad. Winger Ansu Toure played the latter part of the 2008 USL-1 season with the Blues, while defender Zurab Tsiskaridze was with the South Florida outfit last season after being discovered in an open tryout.

The Whitecaps are still without two players for Saturday's match in Fort Lauderdale. Left fullback Takashi Hirano and new signing Jonny Steele will remain behind in Vancouver, as the pair continue to recover from their respective pre-season knee injuries.

MIAMI FC

Though still early days, Miami FC will be keen to establish a positive start to the new campaign, with the Blues in the midst of a season-opening four-match home stand. Games versus Rochester and Vancouver will be followed by home encounters with Florida rivals FC Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 1 and Carolina RailHawks on May 8.

Facing Bob Lilley's new-look Rhinos side at Lockhart Stadium last weekend, Pastora's side needed an early second-half goal from Brazilian forward Paulo Araujo Jr. to earn a stalemate with their Upstate New York opponents. "We came out much stronger in the second half," Pastora told Miami FC's official website after the match. "Next time around, we must come out more aggressive in the first half."

Having replaced Brazilian legend Zinho in the off-season, Pastora made several changes to a Miami FC squad that missed the USL-1 playoffs the past three seasons. The Blues are hoping former D.C. United midfielder Christian Gomez can be an influential figure this season, while another player with Major League Soccer (MLS) experience in striker Abe Thompson will be relied upon for goals. Another player to keep an eye on is former Guatemala U-20 international Edward Santeliz. Miami's returning players include defenders Zach Kirby and Cristiano Dias, as well as midfielder Jarryd Goldberg. Goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell is a new addition, having joined the Blues after spending last season with Carolina.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Saturday's match is the 13th all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Miami FC, with Vancouver having amassed a record of eight wins, two defeats, and two draws since the 2006 season. This includes an impressive away record of five wins and one defeat versus the Blues in Miami. In fact, Vancouver's only defeat in South Florida came last year, as the Whitecaps fell 2-1 to the Blues on July 12. Following Saturday's match, the Whitecaps and Miami FC meet one more time this regular season, with the Blues visiting Swangard on Wednesday, July 14.

NUTRILITE KICKOFF CHANGES

The kickoff times for Vancouver's home matches in this year's Nutrilite Canadian Championship have been changed from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT. Facing USSF D-2 Pro League rivals Montreal Impact and MLS club Toronto FC, the 'Caps will battle for the Voyageurs Cup title by hosting Montreal at Swangard in three weeks' time on Wednesday, May 5. That is followed by the visit of Toronto FC to the west coast on Wednesday, May 19.

The Whitecaps will wrap up their Nutrilite campaign with two road games. They first battle the Impact at Montreal's Stade Saputo on Wednesday, May 26, before completing the tournament schedule versus Toronto FC at their BMO Field home on Wednesday, June 2. Both of Vancouver's away matches kick off at 5 p.m. PT.

The winner of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship will not only claim the Voyageurs Cup, but Canada's lone spot in the 2010-11 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League. All six matches will be shown live on Rogers Sportsnet, beginning Wednesday, April 28.

NEXT HOME GAME

The next Whitecaps home match is Saturday, April 24, when they host Athletic Club of St. Louis at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. PT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. Visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets for more information on Whitecaps tickets.



North American Soccer League Stories from April 14, 2010


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